Quote Originally Posted by Semiomniscient View Post
With this I must disagree. Cravats can certainly be worn with Highland attire and while they have generally fallen out of favor to the likes of the necktie and the bowtie, they are still perfectly acceptable and are gaining more favor. Now I can agree that it they may not be considered "classic" but they do harken back to an older style, much as the jabot does. Besides, if I'm not mistaken, I've seen jabots worn with a cravat (but I may be wrong, and this wasn't with Highland attire.) Anyway, I think that cravats are well within the spirit of traditional highland attire, whether or not it has fallen out of favor and general use.
I agree that a cravat can be worn with Highland attire, but the more traditional ways of tying or securing it look best. The ruche knot seems to be a modern innovation used mainly by hire shops. I think it looks like you're trying to hard. I also think it looks a bit sloppy. Of course, since it seems mainly used to illustrate items in the hire trade it screams "I just rented this crap!" to me.

In any event, if you like it and have the opportunity to wear it, I say go ahead. I'm more than twice your age and that probably influences my opinion. Of course I've never really liked larger knots - a good old-fashioned four-in-hand is fine by me. I avoid buying any of the various forms of spread collar shirts just so I don't have to use a Windsor or half-Windsor knot. It probably didn't help that my stepfather used to tie his ties with knots the size of tennis balls. I used to try to talk him out of it, but Dad is a stubborn sort and, well... At present he almost never wears a tie and, while I wish he'd wear one to Lodge or to weddings or funerals, frankly, it's an improvement.

Regards,

Brian